Sandra “Sandi” Stein, 78, of Kankakee, passed away on
Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in
Urbana.
Sandi was born on April 11, 1944 in Chicago to Wayne and
Francis Cole. On August 14, 1982, she married Cliff Stein in
Kankakee, Illinois. She was a graduate of Governor’s State
University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked
at many agencies in the healthcare industry, including Sharp
Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California, and was a
lifelong member of AORN (Association of Operating Room
Nurses), and retired from her nursing career at St. Mary’s
Hospital.
Sandi spent part of her childhood living in Chicago in an
apartment atop of an Italian deli. This is likely what
inspired her love of cooking, as well as the time she spent
with her Sicilian grandparents. Sandi also enjoyed taking
care of the people she loved. Her love for her family was
the glue that held everything together after her mother’s
passing. She became the mother figure to her younger
siblings, Bryan and Joy, and embraced the challenge of
caring for them at such a young age. One of the things Sandi
enjoyed the most in life was being a mother, first to Joy
and Bryan, then later in life to Beth, Dale, and Scott.
She spent part of her life in Florida, living a very active
and charitable lifestyle. She loved riding her bike, baking
and delivering cinnamon rolls to her neighbors, and was
involved in many clubs, such as the Hobbie Club, Pink
Ladies, Knitting Club, and Quilting Club. The Pink Ladies
were proud of the donations they collected in support of St.
Jude’s Children’s hospital and, similarly, the Knitting Club
made warm and wonderful headwear for female local cancer
patients. The Quilting Club also played an important role in
Sandi’s charitable acts, designing, sewing, and donating
quilts to various organizations, which would then be
auctioned off in support of such causes. Her weeks were
filled with Tuesday card nights, frequent swims at the pool,
and plenty of beach time with her flip flops and freshly
painted toes.
Sandi was very proud of her nursing role, loved baking,
especially homemade Christmas cookies to send to her family
and friends, and spending time with the people she loved.
She will be dearly missed.
Sandi is survived by her sister, Joy Cole of San Diego,
California; her stepchildren, Dale (Robin) Stein of Bend,
Oregon and Beth (Shea) Stein-Walters of Aroma Park,
Illinois; two nieces, Crystal Walker of San Diego,
California and Ashley Evans of Greensboro, North Carolina;
eight grandchildren, Jen (Shane) Kimball of Kamas, Utah, Kim
(Cheyenne) Stein of Ogden, Utah, Ryan (Amber) Walters of
Danforth, Illinois, Aedan Stein of Beaverton, Oregon, Caelan
Stein of Corvallis, Oregon, Kayla Walters of Aroma Park,
Illinois, Chase Stein of Aroma Park, Illinois, and Meghan
Stein of Aroma Park, Illinois; two great granddaughters;
three great grandsons; two great nieces; and one great
nephew.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cliff Stein
of Kankakee; her brother, Bryan Cole of San Diego,
California; and her stepson, Scott Stein of Perry, Utah.
Visitation will be held at Jensen Funeral Home of Kankakee
on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 3:00PM – 6:00PM, with a
short memorial service beginning at 6:00PM. A Celebration of
Life will take place at a later date.
